Kansans turned in nearly five tons of unused medicine as part of an effort to curb prescription drug abuse.

The Kansas Attorney General’s office says residents turned in 9,777 pounds of drugs at locations around the state on Oct. 26 for National Drug Take-Back Day. The office says in a release it’s the largest amount the state has collected in a single day since the program began in 2010.

The Topeka Capital-Journal reports the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office says residents brought in 124 pounds.

Collection days are held twice a year and sponsored by the Drug Enforcement Administration in an effort to prevent abuse. The attorney general’s office says traditional methods for disposal, such as flushing pills down the toilet or throwing them in the trash, pose safety hazards.
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Information from: The Topeka (Kan.) Capital-Journal